Composite Element, Especially a Window Pane

ABSTRACT

Item comprising a first transparent thermoplastic (i) coated with a coating (ii) comprising at least one organosilicon compound, wherein, on at least one portion of the surface, on the side facing away from the first plastic (i), the coating (ii) has been adhesive-bonded, without chemical adhesion promoter, to a second thermoplastic (iii).

The invention relates to items comprising a first thermoplastic (i) which is transparent, i.e. at least to some extent permeable to light, preferably polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylate, cellulose ester, polystyrene, and/or, preferably or polyvinyl chloride, particularly preferably polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, and/or, preferably or polyvinyl chloride, in particular polycarbonate, coated, for example directly or indirectly coated with a coating (ii) comprising at least one organosilicon compound, preferably a compound comprising a siloxane bond, i.e. “Si—O—Si”, particularly preferably silicones, where, on at least one portion of the surface, on the side facing away from the first plastic (i), the coating (ii) has been adhesive-bonded, without chemical adhesion promoter, to a second thermoplastic (iii), preferably thermoplastic comprising polyurethane, particularly preferably thermoplastic polyurethane.

The invention further relates to processes for production of an item, for example of a composite element, comprising

-   -   (i) a first transparent thermoplastic, preferably polycarbonate,         polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylate, cellulose ester,         polystyrene and/or, preferably or polyvinyl chloride,         particularly preferably polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate,         polystyrene and/or, preferably or polyvinyl chloride, in         particular polycarbonate,     -   (ii) a coating comprising at least one organosilicon compound,         preferably a compound comprising a siloxane bond “Si—O—Si”,         particularly preferably silicones, and also     -   (iii) a second plastic, preferably thermoplastic, particularly         preferably thermoplastic comprising polyurethane, in particular         thermoplastic polyurethane, where, on at least one portion of         the surface, on the side facing away from the first plastic (i),         the coating (ii) has preferably been adhesive-bonded, without         chemical adhesion promoter, to the second plastic (iii), and         which comprise plasma-treating at least a section of the surface         of the coating (ii), and then bringing the second plastic (iii)         into contact with the plasma-treated surface of the coating         (ii), preferably bringing it into contact in the molten state         with the plasma-treated surface, preferably molding it on by         means of injection molding.

Transparent items based on thermoplastics, in particular polycarbonate, which is commercially available by way of example from Bayer A G, Germany with the trade mark Makrolon®, are well known and have been widely described. Among the uses of these items is in particular use as glass substitute, e.g. as material for window panes or transparent covers for light sources, e.g. headlamp casings or automobile direction-indicator casings. A disadvantage of these products is lower scratch resistance in comparison with glass, and it is therefore not unusual to improve the surface quality of the transparent thermoplastics by using coatings that are more scratch-resistant. Corresponding scratch-resistant coatings have been widely described, e.g. in EP-A 74 010, EP-A 92 609, EP-A 17 187, EP-A 718 348, and WO 03/035773. The coatings usually comprise organosilicon compounds. The use of these coatings improves scratch resistance considerably but makes it more difficult or indeed impossible to achieve adhesion of other components.

It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adhesive combination of materials, preferably a window pane, for example for automobiles, aircraft, or buildings, in particular an automobile tailgate pane or automobile side pane, or a cover for a light source, preferably headlamps, and/or automobile direction-indicator casings, particularly preferably automobile headlamp casings and/or automobile direction-indicator casings, based on transparent plastics coated with organosilicon compounds, where the materials achieve adequate, preferably very good adhesion between the coating and another component in contact with the coating.

These objects were achieved via the items described at the outset.

According to the invention, “without chemical adhesion promoter” means that no other component (adhesion promoter), i.e. no component other than the coating (ii) or the second thermoplastic (iii) is present between the coating (ii) and the second thermoplastic (iii), in particular no adhesive. In the inventive item, the coating (ii) is present between the first transparent thermoplastic (i) and the second thermoplastic (iii). The coating (ii) here adheres to the first transparent thermoplastic (i), and the second thermoplastic (iii) adheres to the coating (ii). The first transparent thermoplastic (i) is preferably different from the second thermoplastic (iii), meaning that it is particularly preferable that the material used as second thermoplastic (iii) is not polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylate, cellulose ester, polystyrene, and/or, preferably or polyvinyl chloride. The definitions for the terms “organosilicon compound”, “siloxane bond” and “silicones” are those stated under, respectively, “Silizium-organische Verbindung”, “Siloxanbindung”, and “Silicone” in Römpp-Chemie-Lexikon [Römpp's chemical encyclopedia], 9th edition, 1992, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany, ISBN 3-13-735009-3.

A feature of the inventive items is that a direct bond is present between the coating (ii) and the second plastic (iii). This type of bond was hitherto not accessible and correspondingly was unknown. For the first time, therefore, direct bonds are possible which permit use in the applications described at the outset, with a wide range of possible variations, and also in particular a wide range of structural possibilities and design possibilities. Specifically via its direct adhesive bond, i.e. without use of chemical adhesion promoters or solvents, in particular adhesives, the direct combination of materials opens up new and hitherto unknown possibilities for increasing the quality of products in many applications.

These items are thus preferably window panes, for example for furniture, automobiles, aircraft, or buildings, in particular automobile front panes, automobile tailgate panes, or automobile side panes, particularly preferably automobile tailgate panes or automobile side panes, or covers for light sources, preferably headlamp casings and/or automobile direction-indicator casings, particularly preferably automobile headlamp casings and/or automobile direction-indicator casings. The first plastic (i) is preferably a sheet-like molding. The component composed of the second plastic (iii) preferably covers only a portion of the surface of the component composed of the first plastic (i). The arrangement preferably has the second component (iii) at the edge of the first component (i). It is preferable that at least one side, preferably one surface of the first component (i) has been completely coated with the coating (ii). The second component (iii) is preferably the gasket of the window pane, in particular of the abovementioned window panes, or of the cover of light sources, in particular of the abovementioned casings.

The particularly preferred combination of materials in which thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is used as second component (iii), particularly preferably with polycarbonate as first plastic (i), has the advantage of high-quality feel, and it is moreover possible to produce a surface that has sophisticated optical properties, because TPU has very good performance in replicating the surfaces of molds. Another feature of TPU is very little surface soiling, and its color can be varied widely by using color concentrates. The thermoplastic polyurethane here can preferably comprise UV stabilizers. Preference is moreover given to thermoplastic polyurethane based on aliphatic isocyanates. The second thermoplastic (iii) is preferably based on thermoplastic polyurethane whose Shore A hardness is smaller than 95, but the thermoplastic polyurethane preferably comprises no plasticizers. The inventive items particularly preferably comprise, as second thermoplastic (iii), thermoplastic polyurethane whose Shore hardness is from 45 A to 80 A, whose tensile strength to DIN 53504 is greater than 15 MPa, whose tear propagation resistance to DIN 53515 is greater than 30 N/mm, and whose abrasion to DIN 53516 is smaller than 250 mm³.

The peel resistance relating to adhesion of the second thermoplastic (iii) to the coating (ii) to DIN EN 1464 is preferably at least 1 N/mm, particularly preferably at least 2 N/mm.

Further embodiments of the two components (i) and (iii) and of the coating (ii) are found at a subsequent point in this specification.

Another object consisted in developing a process of maximum efficiency and effectiveness which can produce the items described at the outset, and in particular which permits a high degree of freedom of variation and in particular also freedom of structure and design freedom for window panes, for example for furniture, automobiles, aircraft, or buildings, in particular automobile front panes, automobile tailgate panes, or automobile side panes, particularly preferably automobile tailgate panes or automobile side panes, or covers for light sources, preferably headlamp casings and/or automobile direction-indicator casings, particularly preferably automobile headlamp casings and/or automobile direction-indicator casings.

These objects have been achieved via the process described at the outset. For the first time, the inventive process permits, via use of plasma-treatment of the surface of the coating, direct adhesive-bonding between the coating (ii) comprising at least one organosilicon compound and the second plastic (iii) in contact with this coating (ii). New possibilities in design and structure of the preferred items result specifically via this direct application of the second plastic (iii) to the coating (ii).

As second plastics (iii) here, use may be made of well-known plastics or reactive systems for preparation of plastics, e.g. well-known compact or foamed polyurethane systems. As second plastics (iii) it is preferable to use thermoplastics, these preferably being applied by means of injection molding to the coating (ii). It is therefore preferable that the second thermoplastic (iii), preferably thermoplastic polyurethane, is applied by means of injection molding to the plasma-treated surface of the coating (ii). It is particularly preferable that a molding comprising a first transparent thermoplastic (i), in particular the thermoplastics described at the outset, particularly preferably polycarbonate, is coated with the coating (ii), and that the coating (ii) is then plasma-treated, and that the second thermoplastic (iii), preferably the thermoplastic polyurethane, is then applied by means of injection molding to the plasma-treated surface of the coating (ii).

As second thermoplastic (iii) in the inventive process described at the outset it is preferable to use thermoplastic polyurethane whose Shore A hardness is smaller than 95, but the thermoplastic polyurethane here preferably comprises no plasticizers. As second thermoplastic (iii), it is particularly preferable to use thermoplastic polyurethane whose Shore hardness is from 45 A to 80 A, whose tensile strength to DIN 53504 is greater than 15 MPa, whose tear propagation resistance to DIN 53515 is greater than 30 N/mm, and whose abrasion to DIN 53516 is smaller than 250 mm³.

Plasma treatment here is any form of plasma treatment. This includes atmospheric plasma treatment processes and low-pressure plasma treatment processes. In the case of the atmospheric plasma treatment processes, a distinction is made according to the manner of generating a plasma jet by means of a high-frequency arc discharge, a corona discharge, or high-frequency excitation. Atmospheric plasma treatment here means that the treatment of the surface takes place in atmospheric ambient conditions, meaning that no specific precautions have to be taken for low ambient pressure.

Preference is given here to atmospheric plasma treatment by means of a high-frequency arc discharge. This is described in the specifications EP 0 761 415, EP 0 986 939, EP 1 067 829, EP 1 236 380, and EP 1 335 641. Apparatuses for plasma treatment are obtainable from Plasmatreat GmbH, Bisamweg 10, 33803 Steinhagen, for example.

A plasma is preferably generated in a plasma source by means of high-voltage discharge. This plasma is passed through a plasma nozzle and brought into contact with the surface of the coating (ii), the plasma source being moved within a distance of from 2 mm to 25 mm at a velocity of from 0.1 m/min to 400 m/min, preferably from 0.1 m/min to 200 m/min, particularly preferably from 0.2 m/min to 50 m/min, relative to the surface of the coating (ii), the coating thus being plasma-treated. The plasma treatment preferably lasts from 1 ms to 100 s. The gas flow rate can be up to 20 m³/h per nozzle. Stationary or rotating plasma nozzles may be used. The surface temperature of the component can be from 5° C. to 250° C., preferably from 5° C. to 200° C.

In the single figure attached, the structure and the mode of functioning of a preferred example of a plasma nozzle are shown.

The plasma nozzle 10 shown in the figure has a nozzle tube 12 with, arranged at the front end, a nozzle aperture 14. The nozzle aperture 14 is composed, at least on the inner side, of an electrically conducting material, in particular of a metal. The nozzle tube 12 is likewise preferably composed of metal, but it is also possible to use non-electrically-conducting materials. At the end opposite to the nozzle aperture 14, the nozzle tube 12 has a gas inlet 16 for an operating gas, for example for compressed air.

Other operating gases which may be used are gases or gas mixtures other than air or forming gas. It is preferable here that there is a proportion present of a gas which is reactive when in the excited state. By way of example, therefore, a pure oxygen gas, a mixture composed of a noble gas, such as argon, and of oxygen, or a mixture composed of hydrogen and nitrogen (forming gas) may be used. However air is preferred, not least for reasons of process technology, because this operating gas is very readily available and often requires no additional equipment.

For the mode of operation of the apparatus 10, it has proven very advantageous for the operating gas to flow in the form of a vortex through the nozzle tube. However, the present invention is not restricted to generation of this vortex during operation of the apparatus.

In the inventive example shown in the figure, in the apparatus 10, there is a partition 18 preferably composed of an electrically conducting material and separating the gas inlet 16 from the inner space of the nozzle tube 12. For controlled inlet of the operating gas, the partition 18 has a ring of holes 20 obliquely set in the direction of the circumference, and thus forms a device for rotating the operating gas. The form in which the operating gas passes through that portion of the nozzle tube 12 situated downstream is therefore that of a vortex 22 whose core is concurrent with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle tube 12.

An inner electrode 24 has been arranged centrally on the underside of the partition 18 and protrudes coaxially into the nozzle tube 12. In the present inventive example, the inner electrode 24 is formed by a rotationally symmetrical pin, rounded at the tip and composed, by way of example, of copper, electrically insulated by an insulator 26 from the partition 18 and from the other parts of the nozzle tube 12. Other embodiments of the inner electrode 24 with dimensions different from the form shown are likewise possible, as indeed also are asymmetrically arranged inner electrodes.

The important factor is preferably only that the inner electrode 24 has preferably been electrically insulated from the nozzle apertures 14 functioning as counter-electrode. The partition 18 and/or the nozzle tube 12 can therefore also be composed of an electrically insulating material.

The inner electrode 24 has been connected by way of an insulated shaft 28 to a high-frequency transformer 30, which can generate a high-frequency alternating potential. This high-frequency alternating potential is preferably variably controllable and—measured point-to-point, U_(ss)—is by way of example 500 V or more, preferably from 1 to 5 kV, and also in particular greater than 5 kV.

By way of example, the order of the magnitude of the frequency is from 50 Hz to 100 kHz, preferably from 1 to 30 kHz, preferably likewise being controllable. The shaft 28 has been connected to the high-frequency transformer 30 by way of a preferably flexible high-voltage cable 32.

The reason for such wide ranges for the values stated for the magnitude and the frequency of the alternating potential is that these values depend considerably on the selected geometry of the apparatus 10. The shape of the potential curve is moreover not significant. The alternating potential can therefore be a sinusoidal potential or else a pulsed potential.

The high-frequency potential applied triggers the discharge in the form of an arc 34 between the inner electrode 24 and the nozzle aperture 14, and the plasma here is stabilized by the high frequency of the potential, while the currents are small. The high frequency of the potential leads to a frequency-cycle interruption of the discharge which therefore is constantly re-triggered at the same frequency. Another way of describing the process, for example in the case of a sinusoidal alternating potential, is continuous triggering of the discharge within each half wave.

If, in addition, there is rotary flow of the operating gas within the nozzle tube 12, the arc 34 becomes channeled in the vortex core on the axis of the nozzle tube 12 as a result of the slightly reduced pressure and the insulating action of the gas flow. The result is that the arc 34 does not branch until the region of the nozzle aperture 14 has been reached, where it impacts its electrically conducting inner wall.

The inlet 16 has been connected by way of a hose not shown to a compressed air source with variable throughput, this source preferably having been combined with the high-frequency generator 30 to give a supply unit. The plasma nozzle 10 can therefore be readily moved by hand or with the aid of a robot arm. The nozzle tube 12 and the partition 18 have preferably been earthed, if they themselves are composed of an electrically conducting material.

The operating gas, which rotates in the region of the vortex core and therefore in the immediate vicinity of the arc discharge 34, comes into intimate contact with the arc and is at least partially converted thereby into the plasma state. The result is that a plasma jet 36 shown in the figure by broken lines and composed of an atmospheric plasma emerges from the nozzle aperture 14. The shape of this plasma jet 36 is approximately that of a candle flame.

When comparison is made with thermal plasmas, the ion temperature of the plasma jet is low. By way of example, a temperature below 300° C. was measured in the plasma jet, using a PT100 thermometer at a distance of 10 mm from the nozzle aperture. This measured value is merely illustrative and does not restrict the invention.

The plasma jet emerging from the nozzle aperture 14 is accelerated prior to emergence mainly by the pinch effect occurring in the discharge. The gas pressure and the nozzle effect on emergence of the plasma jet from the nozzle aperture can also contribute to acceleration. Overall, a high emergence velocity is achieved and in turn brings about a large number of interactions with the surface to be processed, and at the same time enlarges the reach of the plasma jet. The reason is that impact losses within the plasma jet are smaller for high emergence velocities.

As described above, the second plastic (iii) is preferably applied to the coating (ii) by means of injection molding. The injection molding of thermoplastics is well known and has also in particular been described widely for thermoplastic polyurethane.

The temperature during the injection molding of thermoplastic polyurethane here is preferably from 140 to 250° C., particularly preferably from 160 to 230° C. TPUs are preferably processed under very mild conditions. The temperatures can be matched to the hardness. The periphery velocity during plastification is preferably smaller than or equal to 0.2 m/s, and the back pressure is preferably from 30 to 200 bar. The injection rate is preferably as low as possible, in order to maintain low shear stress. The cooling time selected is preferably to be sufficiently long, the hold pressure preferably being from 30 to 80% of the injection pressure. The molds are preferably temperature-controlled to from 30 to 70° C.

The following may be stated by way of example in relation to the plastics (i) and (iii) and to the coating (ii), in addition to the information presented above.

As first plastics (i), it is possible as described at the outset to use well-known transparent thermoplastics, preferably those listed at the outset, in particular polycarbonate. These plastics are well known to the person skilled in the art and are available commercially, e.g. from Bayer AG with the trademark Makrolon® for polycarbonate.

Coatings (ii) which may be used are generally coatings which comprise at least one organosilicon compound, preferably a compound comprising a siloxane bond “Si—O—Si”, particularly preferably silicones. Coatings of this type to provide scratch resistance, in particular for polycarbonate, have been widely described, e.g. in the specifications described at the outset, and are available commercially from Bayer AG. Preference is given to coatings according to claim 1 of EP-A 0 074 010. Preferenceis therefore given to coatings based on di-, tri- and/or tetraalkoxysilanes, and also by way of example to phenyl- and/or vinylalkoxysilanes.

Particular preference is given to coatings based on compounds of the following formula (1):

(R¹)_(4-x)Si(OR²)_(x)   Formula (1)

where R¹, R² and x are defined as follows:

R¹: alkyl radical or aryl radical, where these may, optionally have heteroatom substitution, preferably alkyl radical having from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, carbon atoms, particularly preferably having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in particular methyl and/or ethyl,

R²: alkyl radical or aryl radical, where these may, optionally have heteroatom substitution, preferably alkyl radical having from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, carbon atoms, particularly preferably having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in particular methyl and/or ethyl,

x: 1, 2, 3 or 4, preferably 2, 3 or 4, particularly preferably 3 or 4,

where the alkyl radicals present in the silane and indicated by R¹ and R² may be mutually identical or different.

The coatings are particularly preferably based on one or more of the following compounds:

-   H₃CSi(OCH₂CH₃)₃ -   CH₃CH₂Si(OCH₂CH₃)₃ -   Si(OCH₂CH₃)₄ -   (H₃C)₂Si(OCH₂CH₃)₂ -   (CH₃CH₂)₂Si(OCH₂CH₃)₂ -   H₃CSi(OCH₃)₃ -   CH₃CH₂Si(OCH₃)₃ -   Si(OCH₃)₄ -   Si(OCH₃)₂(OCH₂CH₃)₂ -   (H₃C)₂Si(OCH₃)₂ -   (CH₃H₂)₂Si(OCH₃)₂ -   Si(OCH₃)₁(OCH₂CH₃)₃ -   Si(OCH₃)₃(OCH₂CH₃)₁     The coatings are preferably based on methyltriethoxysilane     (H₃CSi(OCH₂CH₃)₃) and/or, preferably and, tetraethoxysilane     (Si(OCH₂CH₃)₄).

According to the invention, the coating itself which is based on these preferred silanes can comprise the reaction products of these silanes, in particular partial or complete hydrolyzates of these silanes.

The content of compounds of the formula (1) and of their reaction products in the coating is preferably from 10% by weight to 100% by weight, particularly preferably from 30% by weight to 100% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the coating. Alongside compounds of the formula (1), inert colloidal silicon dioxide, etherified methylolmelamine, blocked isocyanate, acetic acid, and polysiloxanes may also be present in the coating. Auxiliaries, e.g. UV stabilizers, may be present in the coating, if appropriate.

Use may also be made of coatings (ii) described in WO 03/035773. These coatings are based on colloidal metal oxide, on a hydrolysis product of at least one alkoxysilyl acrylate, acrylate monomer, and also, if appropriate, on a photoinitiator.

The component composed of the second plastic (iii) is preferably based on thermoplastics, particularly preferably on thermoplastic polyurethane.

Thermoplastic polyurethanes, also termed TPUs in this specification, and processes for their preparation are well known. TPUs are generally prepared by reaction of (a) isocyanates with (b) compounds reactive toward isocyanates and usually having a molar mass (M_(w)) of from 500 to 10 000, preferably from 500 to 5000, particularly preferably from 800 to 3000, and with (c) chain extenders with a molar mass of from 50 to 499, if appropriate in the presence of (d) catalysts and/or of (e) conventional additives.

The starting components and processes for production of the preferred polyurethanes will be described by way of example below. The components (a), (b), (c), and also, if appropriate, (d) and/or (e) usually used in production of the polyurethanes will be described by way of example below:

-   -   a) Organic isocyanates (a) which may be used are well-known         aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic, and/or aromatic         isocyanates, for example tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-,         and/or octamethylene dilsocyanate, 2-methylpenta-methylene         1,5-diisocyanate, 2-ethylbutylene 1,4-diisocyanate,         pentamethylene 1,5-diisocyanate, butylene 1,4-diisocyanate,         1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane         (isophorone diisocyanate, IPDI), 1,4- and/or         1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane (HXDI), cyclohexane         1,4-diisocyanate, 1-methylcyclohexane 2,4- and/or         2,6-diisocyanate, and/or dicyclohexylmethane 4,4′-, 2,4′- and         2,2′-diisocyanate, diphenyilmethane 2,2′-, 2,4′- and/or         4,4′-diisocyanate (MDI), naphthylene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI),         tolylene 2,4- and/or 2,6-diisocyanate (TDI), diphenylmethane         diisocyanate, 3,3′-dimethyidiphenyl diisocyanate,         1,2-diphenylethane diisocyanate, and/or phenylene diisocyanate.         4,4′-MDI is preferably used. For powder slush applications, as         described at the outset, preference is also given to aliphatic         isocyanates, particular preference being given to         1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane         (isophorone diisocyanate, IPDI) and/or hexamethylene         diisocyanate (HDI), in particular hexamethylene diisocyanate. As         previously described at the outset, the isocyanate (a) used may         also comprise prepolymers which have free isocyanate groups. The         NCO content of these prepolymers is preferably from 10 to 25%.         An advantage which the prepolymers can provide, due to the         preliminary reaction that takes place during their preparation,         is that lower reaction time is required for production of the         TPUs.     -   b) Compounds (b) which may be used and are reactive toward         isocyanates are the well-known compounds reactive toward         isocyanates, for example polyesterols, polyetherols, and/or         polycarbonatediols, these usually also being combined under the         term “polyols”, having molar masses of from 500 to 8000,         preferably from 600 to 6000, in particular from 800 to less than         3000, and preferably having an average functionality toward         isocyanates of from 1.8 to 2.3, preferably from 1.9 to 2.2, in         particular 2. It is preferable to use polyether polyols, such as         those based on well-known starter substances and on conventional         alkylene oxides, e.g. ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and/or         butylene oxide, preference being given to polyetherols based on         propylene 1,2-oxide and ethylene oxide, and in particular         polyoxytetramethylene glycols. The polyetherols have the         advantage of having greater hydrolysis resistance than         polyesterols.

The polyetherols used may also comprise what are known as low-unsaturation polyetherols. For the purposes of this invention, low-unsaturation polyols are in particular polyether alcohols whose content of unsaturated compounds is less than 0.02 meg/g, preferably less than 0.01 meg/g.

These polyether alcohols are mostly prepared by addition reaction of alkylene oxides, in particular ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and mixtures of these onto the triols or diols described above in the presence of high-activity catalysts. Examples of these high-activity catalysts are cesium hydroxide and multimetal cyanide catalysts, also termed DMC catalysts. A DMC catalyst often used is zinc hexacyanocobaltate. The DMC catalyst may be left in the polyether alcohol after the reaction, but is usually removed, for example by sedimentation or filtration.

Polybutadienediols whose molar mass is from 500 to 10 000 g/mol, preferably from 1000 to 5000 g/mol, in particular from 2000 to 3000 g/mol, may also be used. TPUs produced using these polyols can be radiation-crosslinked after thermoplastic processing. This gives better combustion performance, for example.

Instead of one polyol, it is also possible to use a mixture of various polyols.

-   -   c) Chain extenders (c) that may be used comprise well-known         aliphatic, araliphatic, aromatic and/or cycloaliphatic compounds         having a molar mass of from 50 to 499, preferably difunctional         compounds, such as diamines and/or alkanediols having from 2 to         10 carbon atoms in the alkylene radical, in particular         1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, and/or di-,         tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, octa-, nona- and/or         decaalkylene glycols having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and         preferably corresponding oligo- and/or polypropylene glycols,         and use may also be made of a mixture of the chain extenders.

Components a) to c) are particularly preferably difunctional compounds, i.e. diisocyanates (a), difunctional polyols, preferably polyetherols (b), and difunctional chain extenders, preferably diols.

-   -   d) Suitable catalysts which in particular accelerate the         reaction between the NCO groups of the diisocyanates (a) and the         hydroxy groups of the structural components (b) and (c) are the         conventional tertiary amines known from the prior art, e.g.         triethylamine, dimethyicyclohexylamine, N-methylmorpholine,         N,N′-dimethylpiperazine, 2-(dimethylaminoethoxy)ethanol,         diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]octane and the like, and also in particular         organometallic compounds, such as titanic esters, iron         compounds, e.g. ferric acetylacetonate, tin compounds, e.g.         stannous diacetate, stannous dioctoate, stannous dilaurate, or         the dialkyltin salts of aliphatic carboxylic acids, e.g.         dibutyltin diacetate, dibutyltin dilaurate, or the like. The         amounts usually used of the catalysts are from 0.0001 to 0.1         part by weight per 100 parts by weight of polyhydroxy compound         (b).     -   e) Alongside catalysts (d), conventional auxiliaries and/or         additives (e) may also be added to the structural components (a)         to (c). By way of example, mention may be made of blowing         agents, surface-active substances, nucleating agents, lubricants         and mold-release agents, dyes and pigments, antioxidants, e.g.         those active in relation to hydrolysis, light, heat, or         discoloration, inorganic and/or organic fillers, flame         retardants, reinforcing agents, plasticizers, and metal         deactivators. In one preferred embodiment, hydrolysis         stabilizers such as polymeric and low-molar mass carbodiimides         are among component (e). The thermoplastic polyurethane         particularly preferably comprises melamine cyanurate, which acts         as flame retardant, in the inventive materials. The amount of         melamine cyanurate used is preferably from 0.1 to 60% by weight,         particularly preferably from 5 to 40% by weight, in particular         from 15 to 25% by weight, based in each case on the total weight         of the TPU. The thermoplastic polyurethane preferably comprises         an amount of from 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the total weight         of the thermoplastic polyurethane, of antioxidants, and         triazole, and/or triazole derivative. Suitable antioxidants are         generally substances which inhibit or prevent undesired         oxidative processes in the plastic to be protected. Antioxidants         are generally commercially available. Examples of antioxidants         are sterically hindered phenols, aromatic amines,         thiosynergists, organophosphorus compounds of trivalent         phosphorus, and hindered amine light stabilizers. Examples of         sterically hindered phenols are found in Plastics Additive         Handbook, 5th edition, H. Zweifel, ed., Hanser Publishers,         Munich, 2001 ([1]), pp. 98-107 and pp. 116-121. Examples of         aromatic am ines are found in [1] pp. 107-108. Examples of         thiosynergists are given in [1], pp. 104-105 and pp. 112-113.         Examples of phosphites are found in [1], pp. 109-112. Examples         of hindered amine light stabilizers are given in [1], pp.         123-136. Phenolic antioxidants are preferably suitable for use.         In one preferred embodiment, the antioxidants, in particular the         phenolic antioxidants, have a molar mass greater than 350 g/mol,         particularly preferably greater than 700 g/mol, and a maximum         molar mass <10 000 g/mol, preferably <3000 g/mol. They also         preferably have a melting point below 180° C. It is also         preferable to use antioxidants which are amorphous or liquid.

Besides the components a), b), and c) mentioned, and, if appropriate d) and e), it is also possible to use chain regulators, usually with molar mass of from 31 to 3000. These chain regulators are compounds which have only one functional group reactive toward isocyanates, examples being monohydric alcohols, monobasic amines, and/or monohydric polyols. These chain regulators can give precise control of flow behavior, in particular in the case of TPUs. The amount of chain regulators which may generally be used is from 0 to 5 parts by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 1 part by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of component b), and the chain regulators are defined as part of component (c).

To adjust the hardness of the TPUs, the molar ratios of the structural components (b) and (c) may be varied relatively widely. Successful molar ratios of component (b) to the entire amount of chain extenders to be used (c) are from 10:1 to 1:10, in particular from 1:1 to 1:4, and the hardness of the TPUs here rises as content of (c) increases.

The thermoplastic polyurethane used preferably comprises flexible plasticizer-free thermoplastic polyurethane whose hardness is preferably up to 90 Shore A, in particular for applications in the sectors where feel and appearance are important. In applications where wear is a factor, and in impact-protection applications, any of the TPUs up to 80 Shore D can be used. Ether TPUs are to be preferred in applications susceptible to hydrolysis. Aliphatic TPUs are to be preferred in applications particularly exposed to light. The number-average molar mass of the thermoplastic polyurethane is preferably at least 40 000 g/mol, particularly preferably at least 80 000 g/mol, in particular at least 120 000 g/mol.

TPUs according to WO 03/014179 are preferred because they have particularly good adhesion. The comments below extending as far as the examples are based on these particularly preferred TPUs. The reason for the particularly good adhesion of these TPUs is that the processing temperatures are higher than with other “traditional” TPUs with comparable hardnesses and the best bond strength can be achieved in these conditions These particularly preferred TPUs are preferably obtainable via reaction of (a) isocyanates with (b1) polyester diols whose melting point is greater than 150° C., (b2) polyether diols and/or polyester diols in each case having a melting point smaller than 150° C. and a molar mass of from 501 to 8000 g/mol, and also, if appropriate, with (c) diols whose molar mass is from 62 g/mol to 500 g/mol. Particular preference is given here to thermoplastic polyurethanes whose molar ratio of the diols (c) of molar mass from 62 g/mol to 500 g/mol to component (b2) is smaller than 0.2, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 0.01. Particular preference is given to thermoplastic polyurethanes whose polyester diols (b1), preferably of molar mass from 1000 g/mol to 5000 g/mol, have the following structural unit (I):

where the definitions of R1, R2, R3 and X are as follows:

R1: carbon skeleton having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably an alkylene group having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms and/or a bivalent aromatic radical having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms, particularly preferably having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms,

R2: if appropriate branched-chain alkylene group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 6, particularly preferably from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, in particular —CH₂—CH₂—, and/or —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—,

R3: if appropriate branched-chain alkylene group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 6, particularly preferably from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, in particular —CH₂—CH₂— and/or —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—,

X: a whole number from the range 5 to 30. In this preferred embodiment, the preferred melting point described at the outset and/or the preferred molar mass are based on the structural unit (I) described.

In this specification, the expression “melting point” means the maximum of the melting peak of a heating curve measured using commercially available DSC equipment (e.g. Perkin-Elmer DSC 7).

The molar masses stated in this specification are the number-average molar masses in [g/mol].

These particularly preferred thermoplastic polyurethanes can preferably be prepared by, in a first step (i), reacting a preferably high-molecular-weight, preferably semicrystalline, thermoplastic polyester with a diol (c), and then, in a second reaction (ii), reacting the reaction product from (i), comprising (b1) polyester diol whose melting point is greater than 150° C. and, if appropriate (c) diol together with (b2) polyether diols and/or polyester diols in each case with a melting point smaller than 150° C. and with a molar mass of from 501 to 8000 g/mol, and also, if appropriate, with further (c) diols whose molar mass is from 62 to 500 g/mol, with (a) isocyanate, if appropriate in the presence of (d) catalysts and/or (e) auxiliaries.

The molar ratio of the diols (c) whose molar mass is from 62 g/mol to 500 g/mol to component (b2) during the reaction (ii) is preferably smaller than 0.2, more preferably from 0.1 to 0.01.

While step (i) provides the hard phases for the final product via the polyester used in step (i), the use of component (b2) in step (ii) constructs the soft phases. The preferred technical teaching is that polyesters having a pronounced hard-phase structure which crystallizes well are preferably melted in a reactive extruder and are first degraded using a low-molecular-weight diol to give shorter polyesters having free hydroxy end groups. The original high crystallization tendency of the polyester is retained during this process and can then be utilized on rapid reaction to obtain TPUs with the advantageous properties, such as high tensile strength values, low abrasion values, and, because of the high and narrow melting range, high heat resistances and low compression sets. The preferred process therefore preferably degrades high-molecular-weight, semicrystalline, thermoplastic polyesters using low-molecular-weight diols (c) under suitable conditions in a short reaction time to give rapidly crystallizing polyester diols (b1) which then in turn are incorporated, using other polyester diols and/or polyether diols, and diisocyanates, into high-molecular-weight polymer chains.

Prior to the reaction (i) with the diol (c), the molar mass of the thermoplastic polyester used is preferably from 15 000 g/mol to 40 000 g/mol, its melting point preferably being greater than 160° C., particularly preferably from 170° C. to 260° C.

The starting material, i.e. the polyester, reacted in step (i), preferably in the molten state, particularly preferably at a temperature of from 230° C. to 280° C., preferably for a period of from 0.1 min to 4 min, particularly preferably from 0.3 min to 1 min, with the diol(s) (c) may comprise well-known, preferably high-molecular-weight, preferably semicrystalline, thermoplastic polyesters, for example in pelletized form. By way of example, suitable polyesters are based on aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic, and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids, such as lactic acid and/or terephthalic acid, and on aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic, and/or aromatic dialcohols, such as 1,2-ethanediol, 1,4-butanediol, and/or 1,6-hexanediol.

The polyester used particularly preferably comprises: poly-L-lactic acid and/or polyalkylene terephthalate, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, in particular polybutylene terephthalate.

The preparation of these esters from the starting materials mentioned is well-known to the person skilled in the art and has been widely described. Suitable polyesters are moreover available commercially.

The thermoplastic polyester is preferably melted at a temperature of from 180° C. to 270° C. The reaction (i) with the diol (c) is preferably carried out at a temperature of from 230° C. to 280° C., preferably from 240° C. to 280° C.

The diol (c) used in step (i) for reaction with the thermoplastic polyester and, if appropriate, in step (ii) can comprise well-known diols whose molar mass is from 62 to 500 g/mol, for example those mentioned below, e.g. ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, heptanediol, octanediol, preferably 1,4-butanediol and/or 1,2-ethanediol.

The ratio by weight of thermoplastic polyester to the diol (c) in step (i) is usually from 100:1.0 to 100:10, preferably from 100:1.5 to 100:8.0.

The reaction of the thermoplastic polyester with the diol (c) in reaction step (i) is preferably carried out in the presence of conventional catalysts, such as those described below. It is preferable that catalysts based on metals are used for this reaction. The reaction in step (i) is preferably carried out in the presence of from 0.1 to 2% by weight of catalysts, based on the weight of the diol (c). Reaction in the presence of catalysts of this type is advantageous in order to permit conduct of the reaction in the reactor, such as a reactive extruder, within the short residence time available.

Examples of catalysts which can be used for this reaction step (i) are: tetrabutyl orthotitanate and/or stannous dioctoate, preferably stannous dioctoate.

The polyester diol (b1) which is a reaction product from (i) preferably has a molar mass of from 1000 g/mol to 5000 g/mol. The melting point of the polyester diol which is a reaction product of (i) is preferably from 150° C. to 260° C., in particular from 165 to 245° C. This means that the reaction product of the thermoplastic polyester with the diol (c) in step (i) comprises compounds with the melting point mentioned, these being used in the subsequent step (ii).

By virtue of the reaction of the thermoplastic polyester with the diol (c) in step (i), the polymer chain of the polyester is cleaved via the diol. (c), via transesterification. The reaction product of the TPU therefore has free hydroxy end groups, and is preferably further processed in the further step (ii) to give the actual product, the TPU.

The reaction of the reaction product of step (i) in step (ii) preferably takes place via addition of a) isocyanate (a), and also (b2) polyether diols and/or polyester diols, in each case with a melting point smaller than 150° C. and with a molar mass of from 501 to 8000 g/mol, and also, if appropriate, of other diols (c) whose molar mass is from 62 to 500, of (d) catalysts, and/or of (e) auxiliaries to the reaction product from (i). The reaction of the reaction product with the isocyanate takes place by way of the hydroxy end groups produced in step (i). The reaction in step (ii) preferably takes place at a temperature of from 190 to 250° C., preferably for a period of from 0.5 to 5 min, particularly preferably from 0.5 to 2 min, preferably in a reactive extruder, particularly preferably in the reactive extruder in which step (i) was also carried out. By way of example, the reaction of step (i) can take place in the first barrel sections of a conventional reactive extruder and the corresponding reaction of step (ii) can be carried out at a subsequent point, i.e. in downstream barrel sections, after addition of components (a) and (b2). By way of example, the first 30-50% of the length of the reactive extruder can be used for step (i), and the remaining 50-70% can be used for step (ii).

An excess of the isocyanate groups over the groups reactive toward isocyanates is preferably present during the reaction in step (ii). The ratio of the isocyanate groups to the hydroxy groups in the reaction (ii) is preferably from 1:1 to 1.2:1, particularly preferably from 1.02:1 to 1.2:1.

The reactions (i) and (ii) are preferably carried out in a well-known reactive extruder. These reactive extruders are described by way of example in the company publications from Werner & Pfleiderer or in DE-A 2 302 564.

The method of carrying out the preferred process is preferably such that at least one thermoplastic polyester, e.g. polybutylene terephthalate, is metered into the first barrel section of a reactive extruder and is melted at temperatures which are preferably from 180° C. to 270° C., preferably from 240° C. to 270° C., and, in a subsequent barrel section, a dial (c), e.g. butanediol, and preferably a transesterification catalyst, is added, and the polyester is degraded at temperatures of from 240° C. to 280° C. by the dial (c) to give polyester oligomers having hydroxy end groups and having molar masses of from 1000 to 5000 g/mol, and, in a subsequent barrel section, isocyanate (a) and (b2) compounds reactive toward isocyanates and having a molar mass of from 501 to 8000 g/mol and also, if appropriate, (c) diols whose molar mass is from 62 to 500, (d) catalysts, and/or (e) auxiliaries are metered in, and then, at temperatures of from 190 to 250° C., the preferred thermoplastic polyurethanes are constructed.

In step (ii), it is preferable that no (c) diols whose molar mass is from 62 to 500 are introduced, except for the (c) diols present in the reaction product of (i) and having a molar mass of from 62 to 500.

In the region in which the thermoplastic polyester is melted, the reactive extruder preferably has neutral and/or reverse-conveying kneading blocks and reverse-conveying elements, and in the region where the thermoplastic polyester is reacted with the diol it preferably has mixing elements on the screw, and toothed disks, and/or toothed mixing elements in combination with reverse-conveying elements.

Downstream of the reactive extruder, the clear melt is usually introduced by means of a gear pump to an underwater pelletizer, and pelletized.

The particularly preferred thermoplastic polyurethanes exhibit optically clear, single-phase melts, which solidify rapidly and, as a consequence of the semicrystalline polyester hard phase, form slightly opaque to white opaque moldings. The rapid solidification behavior is a decisive advantage over known mixing specifications and preparation processes for thermoplastic polyurethanes. The rapid solidification behavior is so pronounced that it is even possible to process products with hardnesses of from 50 to 60 Shore A by injection molding with cycle times smaller than 35 s. In extrusion, too, e.g. in production of blown films, no problems typical of TPU arise, e.g. adhesion or blocking of the foils or bubbles.

The proportion of the thermoplastic polyester in the final product, i.e. in the thermoplastic polyurethane, is preferably from 5 to 75% by weight. The preferred thermoplastic polyurethanes are particularly preferably products of the reaction of a mixture comprising from 10 to 70% by weight of the reaction product from (i), from 10 to 80% by weight of (b2), and from 10 to 20% by weight of (a), these weight data being based on the total weight of the mixture comprising (a), (b2), (d), (e), and the reaction products from (i).

The hardness of the preferred thermoplastic polyurethanes is preferably from Shore 45 A to Shore 78 D, particularly preferably from 50 A to 75 D.

The preferred thermoplastic polyurethanes preferably have the following structural unit (II):

with the following definitions for R1, R2, R3 and X:

R1: carbon skeleton having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably an alkylene group having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms and/or an aromatic radical having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms,

R2: if appropriate branched-chain alkylene group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 6, particularly preferably from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, in particular —CH₂—CH₂—, and/or —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—,

R3: a radical resulting from the use of polyether diols and/or polyester diols in each case having molar masses of from 501 g/mol to 8000 g/mol as (b2) or from the use of alkanediols having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms for the reaction with diisocyanates,

X: a whole number from the range from 5 to 30,

n and m: a whole number from the range from 5 to 20.

The radical R1 is defined via the isocyanate used, and the radical R2 is defined via the reaction product of the thermoplastic polyester with the diol (c) in (i), and the radical R3 is defined via the starting components (b2) and, if appropriate (c) during the preparation of the TPUs. 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. An item comprising a first transparent thermoplastic (i) coated with a coating (ii) comprising at least one organosilicon compound, wherein said coating (ii) is adhesive-bonded without chemical adhesion promoter to a second thermoplastic (iii) on at least one portion of the surface of said coating (ii) on the side facing away from the first plastic (i).
 16. The item of claim 15, wherein said second thermoplastic (iii) comprises thermoplastic polyurethane having a Shore A hardness of less than
 95. 17. The item of claim 15, wherein said second thermoplastic (iii) comprises thermoplastic polyurethane having a Shore hardness of from 45 A to 80 A, a tensile strength to DIN 53504 of greater than 15 MPa, a tear propagation resistance to DIN 53515 of greater than 30 N/mm, and an abrasion to DIN 53516 of less than 250 mm³.
 18. The item of claim 15, wherein the peel resistance relating to adhesion of said second thermoplastic (iii) to said coating (ii) to DIN EN 1464 is at least 1 N/mm.
 19. A process for producing the item of claim 15, comprising plasma-treating at least one section of the surface of the coating (ii), and then bringing the second thermoplastic (iii) into contact with said at least one section of the plasma-treated surface of the coating (ii).
 20. The process of claim 19, wherein said second thermoplastic (iii) is applied by means of injection molding to the plasma-treated surface of the coating (ii).
 21. The process of claim 19, wherein a molding comprising a first transparent thermoplastic (i) is coated with a coating (ii), the surface of said coating (ii) is then plasma-treated, and said second thermoplastic (iii) is then applied by means of injection molding to the plasma-treated surface of said coating (ii).
 22. The process of claim 19, wherein the at least one section of the surface of the coating (ii) is plasma-treated with an atmospheric plasma.
 23. The process of claim 22, wherein said atmospheric plasma is generated in a plasma source by means of a high-frequency high voltage discharge, and wherein said atmospheric plasma is brought into contact with said at least one section of the surface of said coating (ii) by means of a plasma nozzle.
 24. The process of claim 23, wherein said plasma source is moved within a distance of from 2 mm to 25 mm at a velocity of from 0.1 m/min to 400 m/min relative to the surface of said coating (ii).
 25. The process of claim 19, wherein said plasma treatment is carried out for a time period of from 1 ms to 100 s.
 26. The process of claim 19, wherein said second thermoplastic (iii) comprises thermoplastic polyurethane having a Shore A hardness of less than
 95. 27. The process of claim 19, wherein said second thermoplastic (iii) comprises thermoplastic polyurethane having a Shore hardness of from 45 A to 80 A, a tensile strength to DIN 53504 of greater than 15 MPa, a tear propagation resistance to DIN 53515 of greater than 30 N/mm, and an abrasion to DIN 53516 of less than 250 mm³.
 28. The item of claim 15, wherein said item is a window pane.
 29. The item of claim 28, wherein said window pane is an automobile, aircraft, or building window pane.
 30. The item of claim 15, wherein said item is an automobile tailgate pane, an automobile side pane, or a cover for a light source.
 31. The item of claim 15, wherein said item is a headlamp or an automobile direction-indicator casing.
 32. The item of claim 31, wherein said headlamp is an automobile headlamp casing. 